Replanting the Medicinal Garden

When the cool nights begin many of the tropical plants may stop flourishing, but gardeners take delight in the temperatures to get huge amounts of gardening done. In the last two weeks we have done a massive cleanup in the Richard T. Bowers Historic Tree Grove. We have been removing plants that are past their prime and also many weeds that were sneaking into the beds. A few more days and the cleanup should be finished but we will continue to top-dress the beds with mulch throughout the cool season.

We have also taken this opportunity to replant a few of the thematic gardens in the grove that help to represent and interpret the history of each tree. A few weeks ago we replanted the Moon Sycamore Moon Garden with lots of new white and blue flowering plants that will best reflect moonlight.

This past week we replanted the Clara Barton Redbud Medicinal Garden with lots of new medicinal plants. In prepping the bed we chose to open up the ‘socks’ filled with compost that had previously been used for planting and instead use this compost mixed in with the local soil. This provided us with a slightly raised bed of rich soil for our new plantings.

• Common Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) extracts have been used in the treatment of heart conditions since 1785. Digitalis extracts are used to help regulate irregular heartbeats. Digitalis should not be eaten as it is toxic if used improperly. Foxglove flowers on tall stiff stalks with buds down most of their length. The flowering season for this plant isn't overly long so it was been located to the extreme edges of this garden so that it will not detract when not in flower.
• French Lavender (Lavandula x intermedia) is process for its essential oils which have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. This oil was used in WWII for the cleaning of hospital walls and floors to prepare them for new patients. Infusions of lavender have also been used for the soothing of insect bites and headaches. The lavender plants have a feathery grey-green foliage that is very soft to the touch.
• Blue Anise Sage (Salvia guaranitica) Salvia is a genus of over 900 species in the Mint family. The genus contains culinary herbs, medicinal plants and garden ornamentals. This particular species is a used as a sedative by the Guarani Indians of Brazil.
• Artemisia (Artemisia X 'Powis Castle') is a hybrid of two other Artemisia species, Absinthe (Artemisia absinthium) and Wormwood (Artemesia arborescens). Absinthe and Wormwood have been used a medicinal remedies for hundreds of years. Absinthe has a bitter foliage that was believed to stimulate stomach acid and bile production, and thus was prescribed for stomach aches and those with underactive digestive systems. Artemisia should not be eaten as it is toxic if used improperly.
• Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a culinary herb common in Italian cooking that is also prized for medicinal properties. Basil is used in India to supplement the treatment of stress, asthma and diabetes. Essential oil of basil has anti-fungal properties and is also repellant to mosquitoes.
• Spearmint (Mentha spicata): Spearmint has antioxidant and antifungal properties. A common culinary herb, spearmint is used in many cooking dishes and also in the preparation of many beverages. Teas made from spearmint leaves have been used to treat stomach problems, gas, headaches, fevers and various other minor ailments.